posted Jan 8, 2009

that's what i'm talkin about! That is his position!

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posted Jan 8, 2009

I'm Niko's number one fan, but he drives me round the bend at times, with his showboating, poor corners and pathetic attempts at tackling. One of the most gifted players ever to play for Pompey, but so frustrating. No pace, but a fantastically quick thinker. About time we saw the best of Niko.

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posted Jan 8, 2009

Dear Croatia-Pompey, you'll have to forgive some of my fellow Pompey fans. And note that their constant moaning at Nico is NOT shared by the majority of Pompey fans. At Fratton Park the chant of "Nico, Nico" starts up a few times every game.
I'm afraid some Pompey fans think a midfielder is only good if he runs around like a headless chicken and goes charging into tackles every two seconds. They think Nico is slow and lazy. I personally think their ability to watch football properly is slow and lazy - but hey we're all entitled to our opinions.
What they don't understand is although Nico is not an instant sprinter, he is quite quick when he gets going and, with his ball skills, he can beat players and put in a pass or cross very well anyway (which is surely the point of having pace - or do some them just like watching someone run fast - maybe they should go and watch athletics instead?).
Where the opinion that he's lazy comes from I have no idea - again, I think it's because he doesn't sprint all over the pitch. What they don't notice is he usually covers more of the pitch than any of the other players anyway (again, the stats show that). He actually works really hard for the team but because he gets the ball back from the other team by nicking it instead of by diving into tackles, they can't appreciate him.
I personally love to watch him play but do get a little frustrated with him sometimes because he doesn't impose himself on a game as much as he should/could (lack of confidence?) and everyone's disappointed that he doesn't score more goals. However, all of our midfield seemed to loose the ability to score goals once Jermaine Defoe arrived - so hopefully that will change now he's gone.

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posted Jan 8, 2009

He's basically a luxury we don't need in a dogfight. As SAC1898 said, he's a gifted player, but doesn't live up to his ability.

Also, much like Utaka, he's not being played in his best position.

I'd like to see him play at the front of a midfield diamond with Utaka and Crouch up front. Even if we did that against Bristol City it'd give us an idea of what they could both do.

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posted Jan 8, 2009

I'm a fan of Niko. Always have been. Go Niko!!!! We should keep him and play him in his natural position!

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posted Jan 8, 2009

When Niko is good, he is GOOD, unfortunately he is not good often enough for me.
This hasnt been helped by injury and also often being played out of position.

He needs to concentrate on improving his tackling and defensive play to impress me.

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posted Jan 8, 2009

Nico has talent and ability.

As said by NPthegreat, we don't need a midfielder that runs around like a headless chicken, but need a creative player, which is what he is.

Must admit that I have not been impressed by his corner kicks, especially when compared to what he is capable of from other free-kicks.

With his ability, Nico always seems to have plenty of time which gives the appearance of being slow. I seem to recall that Jimmy Dickinson did not appear to be the fastest player on the pitch, but with his talent, skill and ability to read a game made him a great asset to the team - just like Niko is now.

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posted Jan 8, 2009

What about Dennis Bergkamp? Exactly the same type of player who always looked moody, slow and lazy but he was one of the most influential players to play in the Arsenal team, possibly the premiership

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posted Jan 8, 2009

Slow, overated, lazy, dosen't stick to his position, I won't get on Niko's back while he's a PFC player though as some do during matches, more frustrating than Utaka?, I think so!, he's never stood out in a game like Utaka did at the start of 07/08, never takes on a man like Utaka can, all you could say in his favour is he's not suited to the English game, then again he didn't have a good Euro 2008 either! possibly got to where he is today because his father's such a big name in Croatia?, Niko Kranjcar certainly dosen't deserve to be linked to a real top club like Arsenal! PUP

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posted Jan 8, 2009

Niko is a talented player, and seems to have established his best position as wide left. (Both for Pompey and country) However, I cannot recall the last time he went outside the full back. He always cuts inside. This makes him very easy to defend against. Perhaps he would flourish in a a more central role or, as TA has tried, on the right. Unfortunately, the simple truth is that as a wide left player in the Prem he looks a one trick pony spent force.

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